Method of providing information to a telephony subscriber

ABSTRACT

An information fulfillment system and method for providing information to a caller having a wireless communication device. Upon receipt of sensory prompting and manual or automatic input of access codes to the wireless communication device, the caller&#39;s identity and the input access code are verified. Thereafter, the call is connected through the PWN and along the PSTN to the system messaging or fulfillment center for automatic or live-operator delivery of the requested information. Automatic verification, connection, and billing modification processes are provided for implementation of the system and method.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of co-pending prior application Ser.No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 83541) filed on Nov. 9, 2004 andco-pending application Ser. No. 10/453,452 filed on Jun. 3, 2003 andco-pending application Ser. No. 10/104,867 filed on Mar. 22, 2002 and ofco-pending application Ser. No. 10/104,197 filed on Mar. 22, 2002, whichare both continuation-in-part applications of application Ser. No.08/998,183 filed on Dec. 24, 1997 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,057), whichis a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/475,800 filed on Jun. 7,1995 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,186).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system and method for a caller to obtainvarious levels of fulfillment, research, two way communication, andother services utilizing wireless communication products. The systemincludes one or a plurality of wireless or cellular telephone usersconnected via cellular service or other wireless service providers to acentral or regional messaging and fulfillment center. Advancedinterconnection and caller location can be achieved via the PublicWireless Network (PWN) using the Integrated Services Digital Network(ISDN), Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS), or the intelligentnetwork. A method for dynamic modification of traditional wirelessbilling methods to (i) divert billing to third parties, (ii) blockroaming wireless users, treat them as callers local to the system theyare operating in or process roaming billing in a tradition means afteracceptance of billing responsibility by the caller, and (iii) change thebilling party for wireless and Plain Old Telephone System (POTS)services during the pendency of the call is additionally implemented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless communication technology provides accessibility ofcommunications for callers from virtually any location. While radio hasprovided a wireless medium for delivery of advertising messages fordecades, the radio medium has limitations for advertisers based upon thecost of on-air time and programming schedules. Road signage has clearspace limitations coupled with minimal “viewing” periods during which aprospective customer is exposed to the message.

Since many prospective customers now travel regularly with wirelesstelephone equipment at the disposal, it may be advantageous to provideadvertising services via wireless telephone linking. From a marketingperspective, a system for wireless telephone delivery of advertisingmessages is ideally one in which the prospective customer initiates thecall, thereby eliminating the time and cost expenditures related to“cold-call” advertising delivery services of the past. In addition, thecall should be free to the prospective customer and the system should beequipped to modify existing billing procedures in order to shift thecost of the advertiser.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,020 of Liebesny, et al. discloses a method forproviding traffic updates to cellular telephone customers within aregional calling area. User input of a code representing the trafficzone of interest to the user automatically connects to either a liveoperator or a taped message including the requested traffic information.While the Liebesny method does deliver user-requested information viacellular linking, its delivery is local and the messages fixed in scope.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,793 of Conway, et al. provides a system forautomatically delivering advertising, traffic status, directions, orother information to motorists having microwave transmitter/receiversystems at their respective locations. The requirement that the Conwayuser have the microwave equipment clearly limits the prospectiveaudience and transmission delivery capabilities of such a system.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,703 of Roy provides a cellular switching systemwhereby indicia dialed by the user after a cellular star (*) number isunique to a specific third party advertiser (TPA) and is used to directthe user's call through a special trunk in the switching system in orderto deliver the TPA's message to the user. The Roy system utilizescellular technology to enter into a trunked system, but is clearlylimited in its ability to provide switching through an extensive networkof advertisers and providers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Pursuant to one embodiment, a prospect driving past an outdoor signboardwill observe the advertiser's message, which will include acall-to-action, for example “CALL *500” or selected other abbreviatedaccess code using the driver's cellular phone. In another embodiment, aprospect driving and listening to a radio broadcast will be prompted todial *4AD (for example) by trailers to commercials. In a thirdembodiment, drivers passing highway interchanges with informational gas,food, and lodging signage will also be prompted to “CALL *522”, forexample. Other uses may involve prompts located on buses, on boardcommuter trains, in public stadiums, etc.

Following the general direction to dial the access code, each individualcommercial spot will contain a one or more digit identifyingalphanumeric code known as the Advertiser Identifier. Hence, a typicaloutdoor signboard will contain the following: CALL *500 SEND 1234 NoAirtime Charges

The prospect, held captive in his or her car, perhaps sitting inrush-hour traffic, will utilize their cellular phone to seek outadditional information on the advertised product or service. In the caseof the highway interchange, the prospect can obtain detailed informationof the products or services (e.g. shopping, food, lodging, gas, etc.)available within three to five minutes of that particular interchange.

In one embodiment, once prospects call *500 or other designated accesscode, they will hear a short message welcoming them to the system andprompting them to either dial or speak a one or more digit identifier,for example the name of the advertiser or a product name. After dialingor speaking an identifier, the customer will enter either an automatedmessaging system or be greeted by a live operator. Due to the inherentlimitations of outdoor and radio advertising in terms of communicating adetailed message of product and service benefits, the additional levelof transmitted information will have a high perceived value to both theadvertiser and the primary media company.

Based upon the particular services contracted, prospects can be providedwith a menu of additional customer services including: the mailing ofproduct/service information to their home or business; an audio listingof local retailers and their addresses or telephone numbers (withdirections under certain circumstances); direct product sales;couponing; sampling; sweepstakes entry; polling; optional transfer to aretailer; optional transfer to the advertiser's customer service number;optional transfer to the advertiser's mail order desk; or, anopportunity to participate in a brief survey (for which the prospect mayreceive some nominal compensation or award).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 provides an overview block diagram in accordance with anembodiment of the inventive system.

FIG. 2 details call routing in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates access code routing in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides a block diagram detailing elements related to callinitiation in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram detailing integration as per an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing changes to existing the publicwireless network (PWN) in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing billing process flow in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of the system illustrating how digitsare processed using ISDN technology in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 provides a flow diagram of one embodiment illustrating how digitsare processed using DNIS technology.

FIG. 10 provides a block diagram of the interconnected componentsrequired at the target or processing location of the call pursuant toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing advanced billing features pursuant toyet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In detailing the subject invention, several industry-recognizeddefinitions and newly-coined terms will be used throughout thedescription. In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention,the following glossary of terms is provided:

Access Code: Abbreviated dialing code to access the system such as“*500”.

Advertiser Identifier: Secondary code used to select target advertiser.Also referred to as “advertiser extension.”

ANI: Automatic Number Identification. Commonly referred to as a tendigit telephone number.

CDMA: Code Division Multiple Access

CO: Central Office

DNIS: Dialed Number Identification Service

ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network

IVIS: Intelligent Vehicle Highway System

LEC: Local Exchange Carrier

MTSO: Mobile Telephone Switching Office

N-AMPS: Narrow band AMPS

NPA NXX: The first six digits of the ANI representing the Number PlanArea (Area Code) and Local Exchange.

PCS: Personal Communications System

POTS: Plain Old Telephone System

PSTN: Public Switch Telephone Network

PWN: Public Wireless Network

SDN: Software Defined Network

Target Location: Final destination of the wireless call for fulfillment.

TDMA: Time Division Multiple Access

FIG. 1 provides a process overview. There are essentially four distinctbasic functions which comprise the process flow, the details of whichare discussed below. These elements are (1) the call initiation at 103,the detailed process flow for which is provided in FIG. 4; (2) switchingor other elements of the PWN at 104, as further detailed in FIG. 6; (3)transfer of the call over the PSTN at 105, as further detailed in FIGS.8 and 9; and (4) control over fulfillment and feedback to the user, asdetailed in FIG. 10.

The call initiation function is generally outlines as boxes 101-103. Atbox 101, the prospect receives the sensory input which prompts use ofthe system, either via road signage, an audio message from the radio,etc. Upon manual input to a telephone, at 102, the prospect (hereinafterreferred to as the “caller”) calls in to obtain the informationsuggested by the sensory input. Box 103 refers to the initiation of thewireless call from the system perspective, as opposed to the callerinput and transmission from the caller's telephone. As an alternative tothe caller manually placing the telephone call, the call may beinitiated by automatic processing, as will be discussed below withreference to FIG. 4. Box 103 initiation of the wireless call by thesystem results from either a third party remote triggered signal or alocal independent transmitting signal and includes the mobileidentification number and the electronic component's serial number forsubsequent access and billing verification.

Subsequent to system initiation of the wireless call, the call istransmitted along the Public Wireless Network (PWN) at 104, for calleridentification, billing verification and/or modification, and routing tothe PSTN, as is further detailed below. Thereafter, service is providedalong the PSTN at 105 and the call is ultimately provided for routing tothe messaging center at 106 and thence handled at the gateway to thetarget fulfillment center, at 107. Clearly, it may be possible to routethe call and connect to the target center using only the wirelessnetwork, particularly for communications between geographically localcallers and target locations. However, accessing the PSTN providesgreater transmission reliability and increased geographical distributionof prompting media and fulfillment centers to realize a national system.

FIG. 2 provides a more detailed description of the path of a callthrough the inventive system. From the wireless telephone, 110 of theblock diagram, the call is sent with the caller input access code, whichis an abbreviated dialing code to access the system, such as *500. Inaccordance with prior art wireless telephone service, the call iscommunicated to a base station remote switch, 111, at which a basestation controller relays the call to the MTSO or other wireless serviceswitch 112, as appropriate.

Central to the operation of the inventive system is the functioning ofwireless switch 112. This switch must recognize the caller seeking toutilize the system and must recognize the access code and compare it toentries in a database of approved codes. The switch 112 also performsrecognition on the subscriber identity and the subscriber location, anddetermines the billing status for the caller as either a local systemuser or a roaming user (billing detail is provided in FIGS. 7 and 11).Depending upon the billing status determination (i.e., local orroaming), software or firmware at the switch is utilized to modifyestablished billing procedures and to create a new billing record forthe third party provider of the service under a preset billingarrangement. Alternatively, if the system determines that the caller isroaming and the caller's service provider has not arranged to allowtreatment of the call as local, the system queries the caller if thecaller will agree to be billed for all airtime charges. Absent calleracceptance of billing responsibility, access to the system is blocked.Switches which can be adapted to perform the foregoing functionalityinclude AT&T's System 85 5E Diffinity Generic 2.

Assuming favorable determinations with respect to verification of theinput access code, of subscriber identity, and of caller billing, switch112 converts the access code to a land line 800-number and routes thecall to the PSTN's central office, illustrated as block 113. The centraloffice of the PSTN accepts the call and recognizes it as belonging tothe system described by preassigned POTS numbers and, if necessary,translates the land line 800-number to a Routing Telephone Number (i.e.,the POTS number). Typically, the preassigned POTS numbers will betraditional 800 service numbers. Such service is exemplified by AT&T'sMEGACOM 800 Service with a Customer Specific Term Plan II (CSTP II).Typically, such service will also utilize on-line call detail datasoftware to collect information about the system calls such as connecttime, the 800 number sent by the wireless carrier, call disposition,date and time of call, call duration, and the ANI of the caller. Suchservice is generally described as a high capacity digital, directaccess, virtual banded, inbound calling service, and requires adedicated connection between the serving central office and the targetlocation, as is known to one having familiarity in the art. Dependingupon the access code, and the nature of the fulfillment of a callbearing that access code, the call may be routed along one of severalcall completion paths at the PSTN, as further detailed in FIG. 3.

Call completion involves selecting the long distance carrier of choiceand routing the call to this carrier's Point of Preference at 114 viathe selected Routing Telephone Number. This procedure is implementedusing either a conventional in-band Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF)system or by packetizing the digits and processing them via a SignalingTransfer Point (STP) 121 into the Signaling System 7 common channelsignaling network 122. If the Point of Preference is local to themessaging center, the connection is made, via Long Distance Trunk 115using the dedicated 800-number, to the local Point of Preference andthence to the target location messaging center 119 using T1.5 or T3access lines 118.

When the carrier Point of Preference is not local to the messagingcenter, the call is routed via the network to a Signal Transfer Point121 (also referred to as a Signal Control Point, SCP) or other networknode that contains databases that support Cellular Linking services.Thus, from the Foreign Data Base at 123, access is made to the CentralOffice 117 and ultimately to the Messaging Center 119.

By means of an Integrated Voice Response (IVR), the mobile wirelesssubscriber is thus able to obtain information and/or fulfillmentservices. Subsequent to initial call dialing the mobile subscriberinputs information on the geographic location of the mobile terminalinvolved in the call, or alternatively inputs location informationreceived from one or more of a variety of media including, but notlimited to, contacts with other cellular subscribers, broadcast radio,especially programs dealing with traffic conditions or similar events,global positioning systems, intelligent highway systems, roadside signsdisplaying city boundaries and street names, personal observation,information from other passengers, etc.

Electronic positioning data from consumer equipment within the car maybe converted into DTMF tones and coupled to the mobile wireless terminalfor automatic transmission over the cellular network. Location data thatdoes not form part of the inherent capabilities of the cellular systemand is not available in electronic form will be input to the wirelessterminal as additional dialed digits that will be requested by the IVRsystem established by Cellular Linking at the informational andfulfillment database.

The location of the mobile wireless terminal will be computed by aprocessor and special software permits a display of the cellular servicearea containing the terminal to be cross referenced against positionaldata input by the customer as dialed digits. Location informationobtained in this manner is used to more readily fulfill the CellularLinking customer's needs for the services requested from CellularLinking's third party service providers.

Certain new kinds of digital cellular systems, such as GSM and otherTDMA and CDMA systems, and PCS networks may have the ability to processspecial numbers, identify subscribers including roamers, authorizealternative billing procedures, and identify mobile terminal locationsmore readily than conventional AMPS and NAMPS systems. In such cases,special location processing software that forms an inherent part of themobile switching system will determine the location of the mobilewireless terminal, transmitting this information along with othernecessary data to the Cellular Linking central database.

FIG. 3 describes three alternative call path routings based upon thespecific access code dialed by the user. Upon recognition of the accesscode at 131, as conducted at the MTSO or other wireless service switch,wireless switch translation is conducted at 132. Since access codes areassigned based upon the type of fulfillment service, differentcategories of access codes will be automatically routed at switch 112.As shown in FIG. 3, three representative call routing paths may beautomatically selected, though it may be possible to integrate many morethan three possible paths into a wide-scale system.

In accordance with the representative routing plan, an access code */#X-X-X, 133, denotes routing via the PSTN, at 134, to a live operator, at135, and prompting, at 136, of the advertiser identifier at the targetlocation. Given an access code */# Y-Y-Y at 143, routing proceeds viathe PSTN at 144 to an audiotex service bureau, at 145, and prompting ofthe advertiser identifier at the target location at 146. Finally, accesscode */# Z-Z-Z at 153 denotes routing to the PSTN at 154 and 155 andprompting of the advertiser identifier within the PSTN at 156 withsubsequent direction of the call to the target location which may be anadvertiser's premise at 157.

The use of the above described call path routings allows for minimalaccess codes to be required by the system and provides for costefficiency to the system by routing a majority of calls withoutprompting of the advertiser code within the PSTN.

FIG. 4 describes the initiation of the wireless call, into FIG. 1, box103, using manual or automated means. Note the following means for callinitiation:

(a) Sensory input 101 and manual initiation 102: as shown in FIG. 1, themobile subscriber receives a sensory input from any of a variety ofphysical and electronic promotional and/or advertising media, 101 athrough 101 e, including, but not limited to, pagers, cellular calls,broadcast radio, billboards, roadside signs, printed media, vehicle signpanels, or other means. Upon receipt of the sensory input at 101, thecaller manually conducts the telephone call at one of the input modules102 a through 102 d.

(b) Automated signal initiation is triggered through the mobile wirelessantenna or a vehicle antenna, 202 a or 202 b, upon receipt or input fromany of the components 201 a through 201 d which can communicate with theantennas. Such signal to be originally generated by AM or FM radiotransmitters, satellite feed, roadside low power transmitters, or othermeans triggers the automated signal at 202.

(c) Third party remote triggered signal at 302 and subsequent initiationparallels the automated signal at 202 since such signaling isautomatically conducted by the mobile wireless antenna or the vehicleantenna 302 a or 302 b. The input, though, may be transmitted throughfurther means, 301 a through 301 g, including cellular or other wirelesstelephony equipment.

A sensory input that contains any information that encourages thesubscriber to utilize the invention may prompt the customer to initiatea wireless call using the keypad of a cellular telephone to dial orspeak a set of digits commencing with *, or some other call prefix suchas #, utilizing a special code. These digits, along with the commandSEND activate the cellular communications system and connect thesubscriber by means of a formatted mobile message through a wirelesschannel via base station firmware over a T1 or other kind of link to theline interface at the MTSO where the call is demodulated and connectedto the central processor at the mobile switch. Using the same inputmedia, an advertiser can access the system to update or modifyfulfillment data from a remote location using the appropriate (*) or (#)identifier or a POTS wireline.

FIG. 5 describes the integration of the wireless telephone orspecifically the mobile wireless transmitter and receiver 210 to avehicle transporting the caller. The wireless telephone may be connectedby a hardwire interface to a vehicle's central key pad 211 located onthe steering wheel or other convenient location. Such connection willpermit easier use of the invention and will allow for visualconfirmation of system functions through the vehicle's heads-up-displaycapabilities, at 212.

The wireless telephone may also be connected by a hardwire interface toa vehicle's central computer 213 to allow both components to operatemore effectively. The wireless telephone may access memory or processingcapabilities of the central computer to enhance its function as acommunications device. Similarly, the vehicle may access thetransmission and reception capabilities of the wireless phone to performa variety of diagnostic, safety or passenger convenience tasks.

Yet another arrangement provides that the wireless telephone beconnected by a hardwire interface to a vehicle's video terminal 214 toallow display of telephony functions or the receipt and display of videomessages sent by wireless means to the user. A hardware connection canalso be made to a vehicle's positioning system 215, such as GPS, andautomobile mapping system 216 in order to facilitate communication ofposition data or to allow advertisers to transmit data containingdirections or location-related information. Integration of the wirelesstelephone 210 to the vehicle's safety system 217 provides for automatedtransmission of emergency messages. When coupled with the vehiclepositioning system 215, such emergency messages may contain the specificlocation of the troubled vehicle or user. Vehicle location data is oftenvaluable for both caller purposes (e.g., emergencies) and cellularsystem efficiencies, as evidenced by the systems disclosed in U.S.Patent Nos. 5,327,144 and 5,343,493. Cellular location can be determinedby one or more of the following means:

A. Identification of the MTSO which routes the call to the PSTN;

B. Identification of the cell, sub-cell, or microcell from which thecall was placed or is currently being serviced;

C. The use of the intelligent network such as ISDN or DNIS information;

D. The signal strength of the call;

E. The call history;

F. Alternative visual identification; or

G. Vehicle based locations systems.

The caller's location may be determined by identifying the subscriber'sposition within the cell by one or more of the following techniques:

(A) To cell level by identifying the base station taking part in thetransmission; to sub-cell level subsequent to a hand-off when furtherdata becomes available as to the location of the mobile subscriber.

(B) To sub-cell level for small cells from signal strength and azimuthaldata at the directional antenna as follows:

(1) Antenna at cell base station receives signal from subscriber'sterminal;

(2) Signal is fed via antenna combiner to radio transceiver module;

(3) Signal is analyzed by radio controller which determines signalstrength and azimuth using directional antenna segmentation techniques;

(4) Special software program in controller instructs processor torepresent these data in the form of a digital code for modulating a T1line or other form of communication channel for transmission to MTSO;

(5) MTSO codec demodulates digital signal reproducing original bitstream sent from base station;

(6) Call processing software translates this bit stream into digitsrecognizable by central;

(7) Processing unit at centralized or regional messaging center;

(8) Software program at center receives digits and compares these withdatabase of signal strength and azimuthal information on specific cellbase station;

(9) Special geographical location software package instructs processorto compute comparative data in terms of geographic locale of mobilesubscriber.

(C) To cell level for wireless communication systems with very smallcells such as PCS;

(D) To cell level where more precise location identification is deemedunnecessary by the third party service provider responding as part ofclaimed procedures;

(E) To sub-cell level for large cells from directional data collectedfrom non-multipath propagation patterns such as occur in rural andsemi-rural service areas;

(F) To sub-cell level by using triangulation data from two or moreadjacent base stations;

(G) To sub-cell level by using location updating procedures fromprevious calling patterns established by that subscriber due to frequentand continued use of the invention; and

(H) To sub-cell level from subscriber-input data received from personalobservation of external information including but not limited tonumerical data displayed on billboards or other visible advertisingmedia, instructions received over broadcast radio channels, informationgathered from other visible sources, information received from fellowpassengers in the vehicle equipped with the mobile radio terminal; otherpersonal third party sources; information previously provided to thesubscriber as part of commercial agreements.

The caller location information can be used to reconnect inadvertentlydropped calls. The caller's location or home or office phone number canalso be used to identify a local dealer by reference to a computerizedvertical-horizontal file, as detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,267

Integration of the wireless telephone to the Intelligent Vehicle HighwaySystem (IVHS) 219 will provide enhanced features and furthercommunication abilities utilizing the receiver and transmitter of thewireless phone. The wireless telephone may also be connected by hardwireinterface to a vehicle's printer or other mobile facsimile or printer at218 to allow printed transmissions from advertisers, including coupons,etc. Finally, the wireless telephone may be connected by a hardwireinterface to a vehicle's radio 220 to allow audible display of telephonyfunctions or the receipt and display of audio messages sent by otherwireless means to the user.

FIG. 6 further describes the functions of the MTSO of the PWN inaccordance with the present invention. The MTSO comprises the centraloffice computerized equipment that coordinates and controls the routingand completion of calls in a cellular system. The MTSO includes aCentral Processor (not shown) for identifying, accepting, and takingaction upon receipt of the dialed digits as part of a Cellular Linkingcall having a special prefix. The central processor functions aredetailed at FIG. 6.

At 250, the MTSO receives the abbreviated access code and verifies boththe access code and the caller identity at 251. An object of the presentinvention is the use of relatively few digits as advertiser identifiersto reduce user induced errors in the system and generally increase userfriendliness. The MTSO first determines whether the received access codeis one which the MTSO recognizes as valid. Assuming validity of theaccess code, the MTSO next verifies the caller's identity and approvedaccess to the system. One or more of the following identifiers can beverified at the MTSO:

Mobile Identification Number (MIN) or ANI of the wireless telephone;Electronic Serial Number (ESN); International Mobile Station Identifier(IMSI); Mobile Station Type (fixed, automobile, transportable, portable,aircraft); ANI of the MTSO; Source such as Mobile Station (MS), BaseStation Controller (BSC), Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Home LocationRegister (HLR) for fixed mobiles, Selective Router or other sources;Caller Geographic Location (latitude, longitude, altitude, resolutionwhich information is contained in the subscriber's signature only forcellular or other wireless telephone communication systems that have theinherent ability to generate and process such positional data); BillingNumber; Subscriber name; Subscriber billing address; Subscriber hometelephone number; Subscriber personal telephone number; Subscriberpriority indication; Priority Access & Channel Assignment (PACA) level(A,B or C); Preferred language; and, Home wireless service providerinformation. As will be apparent to one having skill in the art, some ofthe above-listed information may be automatically appended to theuser-input access code by the wireless telephone, depending upon thespecific preprogramming thereof.

After caller identification, the user-input access code digits areprovided for analysis and translation at 252 by the central processor atthe switch where software operates on them and compares them with datareceived from a number of databases, 253-255. These databases providedata on both calling and called parties and preferred routing throughthe network and are integral to the call processing procedure, examplesof these databases being user files, number tables, access codes androuting tables. The various data are analyzed and, when the dialeddigits and other transmitted identifiers are approved, the processorcreates a set of translated digits that are returned to the callprocessing module for additional actions to be taken, such asdetermination of the caller's local or roaming status at 256, billingprocedures at 257, and call routing.

At 257, software within the central processor at the MTSO insures thatthe mobile subscriber making the Cellular Linking call is not billed forair time, local or long distance call charges, or local and remotecharges. In the case of roamers this may be done by creating apseudo-cellular number for the Cellular Linking provider number forthird party billing procedures, or by some other means which will beapparent to one having skill in the art (see: e.g., U.S. Pat. No.5,216,703). Billing modification, with the object of allowing the MTSOto accept calls it otherwise would not, is further detailed in FIGS. 7and 11.

Finally, upon successful completion of steps 250-252, 256 and 257, atwhich time the access code has been recognized, the subscriber identityhas been recorded, the presence of roamers has been determined and thenecessary roamer billing acceptance procedures have been started, theaccess code is converted to a landline Cellular Linking number at 258and the call routing software at the MTSO instructs the centralprocessor to proceed to the next stage of telephone network callcompletion procedures by routing the call to the PTSN at 259. Connectionand transmission may be based on TDMA, CDMA, GSM, SMR, PCS or N-AMPStechnology, as would occur to one having familiarity with the subjecttechnology.

If the above process is interrupted at any point after receipt of themobile subscriber signature, further special software instructs theswitch to send a recorded message that prompts the subscriber to redialthe complete number sequence. On receipt of the digits, the callvalidation and call processing procedures are restarted.

FIG. 7 further describes the billing modification processing of theinvention. Central to the invention is recognition by the PWN, andspecifically the MTSO, that the caller is accessing the invention. ThePWN must identify the caller as a local subscriber or a roamer atdecision box 280. Local callers are automatically granted access to thesystem and the call billing file is altered to delete any charges to thecaller for the call, at 281. In addition, a special billing record isestablished for the third party service provider at 282 includingaccessing the third party provider's plan, as necessary. The call isthen processed at 284.

If the determination at decision box 280 is that the caller is roaming,the MTSO central processor next determines if the caller's serviceprovider will allow treatment of the call as local, with the attendantthird party billing at 285. If the service provider, to which the roameris a subscriber, has agreed to allow roamers to be treated as local forpurposes of using the present invention, the roamer's service provideris bypassed and no billing or call information is forwarded. A thirdparty billing record is created at 282 and the call progresses at 284.

If the roamer's home carrier has not established a protocol for allowingits roamers to be treated as locals on the system (i.e., a “no”determination at decision box 285), then the roaming caller is notifiedat 286 that they have been identified as a roamer and that access to thecellular linking system will only be provided if the caller agrees toaccept airtime charges. If a caller acknowledges acceptance of suchcharges, by depressing SEND or by other means conveying a “yes” decisionfor box 287, the acceptance is confirmed at 288 and the caller ispermitted access at 286 and is charged in a traditional manner.

If the roamer's home carrier has not established a protocol for allowingits roamers to be treated as locals on the system and the roaming callerfails to acknowledge acceptance of airtime charges at 287, then theroaming caller is blocked from the service at 289.

FIG. 8 provides a detailed description of the call processing inaccordance with the present invention when ISDN technology is available.The long distance carrier's data base functions are central to theimplementation of the present invention which relies on ISDN technology.ISDN provides a common architecture for the development and deploymentof digitally integrated communications services, using out-of-bandsignaling to permit the user's equipment and the PSTN to exchangecontrol and signaling information over a separate channel from thatwhich carries voice or other user information. ISDN lines are dividedinto bearer (“B”) channels and a supervisory control or data (“D”)channel. The D channel is used for out-of-band signaling and the Bchannels carry digitally encoded voice or other traffic. The D channelalso carriers information about caller identification which can be usedin the present invention to determine approximate geographic location.

The invention utilizes ISDN technology to acquire the ANI of the LEC,MTSO, or caller and combine the geographic locator element of this ANIwith the advertiser identifier to create an unique advertiser code andaccess fulfillment commands. At 310, the call is received at the PTSN,the identity of the ANI is checked at 311, and the call is routed to thetarget location at 312. The ISDN information is read on the D channel at313, the D channel protocol conducted at 314, and the ANI verificationconducted at 315 and 316. Once the ANI has been confirmed, the call isanswered on the B channel at 317, with audible prompting to the callerbeing provided at 318. The ANI and the advertiser code (from the caller)will be linked at 319 and the database accessed at 320 in order tofulfill the call (i.e., retrieve and deliver the advertiser's message).

FIG. 9 is a process flow utilized by the present invention whenimplemented with DNIS technology. DNIS technology allows the PSTN totransport information on the number dialed or in this application thePOTS “800” number translated by a given wireless provider. Suchinformation can then be read by the target location to determine via apreassigned look-up table the approximate geographic location of thecaller. Variants of the present invention which rely only on DNIStechnology may utilize T1 access with in-band signaling only.

Upon translation of the access code to the 800 POTS number, at 330, thecall is routed to the LEC at 331. Attachment of the DNIS data using thelong distance carrier database is conducted at 332 and the call routedto the target location at 333. At the target location, the call isanswered at 334, the DNIS data received at 335 and the caller promptedto provide the advertiser's code at 336. Linking of the DNIS and theadvertiser's code is conducted at 337 followed by accessing of thefulfillment information. The inventive process thus utilizes DNIStechnology to acquire the ANI of the transcribed POTS “800” number andcombine the geographic locator element of this ANI with the advertiseridentifier to create an unique advertiser code at 336 and to accessfulfillment commands at 338.

FIG. 10 further describes the components of the invention related to thetarget, or fulfillment, location. The target or fulfillment location mayinclude a voice activated switch 400 to welcome the user and promptverbal entry of a required alphanumeric code. An alternative key padswitch 401 may be available for receipt of keyed input of the requiredcode. When the caller provides an audible identifier for interpretationby speech recognition software at the system's messaging center,inability to recognize an identifier, whether incorrect orunrecognizable for other reasons, will result in a prompt for the callerto repeat the audible identifier. If still not recognized as correct,the system will prompt the caller to enter the identifier using thephone keypad. In some instances, a live operator may answer the call anddeliver the request for an identifier or trigger a recorded messagerequesting the identifier. The operator would then retrieve theadvertiser specific files manually or by entry to one of a plurality ofnetworked PC's, 402-404, after hearing the user speak the alphanumericcode.

Whether automatically or manually queued, the front end PC's select therelevant advertiser file, deliver the advertiser message and, ifnecessary, route the call for further processing (e.g., demographicsinformation gathering; sweepstakes entry; caller ordering with attendantinformation gathering including credit card or other personal accountbilling verification based upon input provided by the user either bymagnetic card reading or secured transmission of alphanumericinformation entered by the caller at the time of ordering orpreprogrammed into the telephone, which may be conducted directly by anentity at the messaging center or may require transfer of the call tothe advertiser's order desk; survey participation, appointmentscheduling; etc). As appropriate, one or more local servers 406, or oneor more remote servers 409, receives call fulfillment information, asdoes the system provider server 407 for tracking of system use,advertiser and caller demographics and billing data, etc.

The system's target or fulfillment center also includes a customizedadministrative database 405 which notes the time of calls, duration ofcalls, location of caller, number of calls for each identifier, monitorsvolume and other physical parameters of a call, and administratesbilling of calls. Other database information which may be stored and/orupdated includes a caller's social security number, address, credit ordebit card number, sizing and credit history. In those variants of thepresent invention which utilize ISDN technology, the target locationmust use an ISDN compatible switch with T1 or T3 cards, such as theVarilink CSU Model 551 or Northern Telecom's SL1 Meridian Model Option81. ISDN processing also requires Extended Super Frame (ESF) BinaryEight Zero Suppression (B8ZS) signaling.

FIG. 11 describes the advanced billing process flow for the presentinvention. Although one of the objectives of the system is to controlcall length to be within predefined parameters established by theadvertiser and the third party service provider, call length can beextended if the caller so desires and is willing to incur the additionalexpense of the call. In that way, extended communication with theadvertiser, their dealer or representative can be provided withoutrequiring the caller to initiate a second call.

FIG. 11 describes the process whereby the billing of the wirelessland-based telephony charges revert back to the caller from a givenpoint during the pendency of the call. If, at 420, the caller desires totransfer the call, or to extend the duration of the call beyond the timepreset by the third party billing arrangement and monitored by thesystem, the caller is notified, at 421, of the caller's need to acceptbilling responsibility for the remainder of the call. At decision box422, the system ascertains whether the caller is willing to accept thebilling responsibility. If not, the call is terminated at 423. If,however, the caller will accept billing, the system notifies thewireless carriers to modify the billing process at 424. The wirelesscarrier then verifies the caller's credit at 425 and creates a newbilling records at 426. Thereafter, the call is extended, or transferredas required, at 427.

Such billing reconfiguration requires utilization of the intelligentnetwork such as ISDN in order to signal the wireless provider of theneed to modify is billing process. If transfer is required, the call istransferred to a second target location using traditional POTS means.

The wireless mobile communications system as taught provides that thecaller not be charged for any connection or service time but rather thetargeted receiver is charged for the call using a specific dialingprefix. In the alternative, the targeted receiver can be charged for thecall based upon a specific and dedicated frequency to be used for allsuch calls. Yet another arrangement provides the targeted receiver becharged for the call based upon a specific and dedicated numbering codeto be used for all such calls.

A final billing arrangement can provide that the wireless receiver of acall is not charged for any connection or service time but rather thecaller is charged for the call based upon:

(A) A “collect call” type system wherein the key pad of the receivingcellular phone or other wireless communications device affirmativelyindicates that the caller willing to pay charges.

(B) A “collect call” type system wherein some non-key pad indicator onthe receiving cellular phone or other wireless communications deviceaffirmatively indicates that the caller willing to pay charges.

(C) The receiving wireless caller answering the call by pressing >send!alone to answer or >send! plus a second key such as >#! or >*!.

Several advanced system features may be incorporated to enhance thecapabilities of the inventive system, including an encryption system tosecure financial data transmission,; automatic downloading of data tothe caller's wireless phone or via the phone receiver to other vehiclesystems; concurrent transmission of voice and data; and integration ofautomatic directories of advertiser's codes.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details provided herein. Accordingly,departure may be made from such details without departing from thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for providing research information via a fulfillment centerthrough a public wireless telecommunications network to a caller havinga wireless telecommunications transmitting and receiving devicecomprising the steps of: providing the caller with an observable promptthat comprises, at least in part, a specialized access code thatcorresponds to additional information regarding an advertised item;initiating a call to the fulfillment center through dialing of thespecialized access code into the wireless telecommunications andreceiving device; directing the call from the public wirelesstelecommunications network to the fulfillment center based upon thespecialized access code; and delivering information as designated by thespecialized access code to the caller from the fulfillment centerthrough the wireless telecommunications transmitting and receivingdevice.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein delivering information furthercomprises prompting the caller to enter an additional identifier.
 3. Themethod of claim 2 wherein prompting the caller to enter an additionalidentifier further comprises prompting the caller to enter an additionalidentifier as corresponds to a specific advertiser.
 4. The method ofclaim 2 wherein prompting the caller to enter an additional identifierfurther comprises prompting the caller to enter an additional identifieras corresponds to a specific product.
 5. The method of claim 2 whereindelivering information further comprises transferring the caller to aretailer.
 6. The method of claim 2 wherein prompting the caller to enteran additional identifier further comprises prompting the caller to enterthe additional identifier using a verbal entry.
 7. The method of claim 6wherein delivering information further comprises receiving the verbalentry at a voice activated switch.
 8. The method of claim 6 whereindelivering information further comprises interpreting the verbal entryusing speech recognition software.
 9. The method of claim 2 whereinprompting the caller to enter an additional identifier further comprisesusing a live operator to deliver a request for the additionalidentifier.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the caller withan observable prompt further comprises providing the caller with anobservable prompt via electronic media.
 11. The method of claim 10wherein the electronic media comprises electronic promotional media. 12.The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless telecommunicationstransmitting and receiving device is coupled to a computer
 13. Themethod of claim 12 wherein the wireless telecommunications transmittingand receiving device connects to the computer via a hardware interface.14. The method of claim 1 and further comprising: receiving, at aserver, information regarding delivery of the information.
 15. Themethod of claim 14 and further comprising: tracking, at the server,billing data as corresponds to the delivery of the information.
 16. Themethod of claim 1 wherein delivering information as designated by thespecialized access code to the caller from the fulfillment centerfurther comprises using a computer to deliver the information.
 17. Themethod of claim 16 wherein using a computer to deliver the informationfurther comprises using the computer to further route the call.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 wherein using the computer to further route the callfurther comprises using the computer to further route the call tofacilitate further processing.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein thefurther processing comprises at least one of: gathering demographicsinformation; facilitating a sweepstakes entry; facilitating an order;conducting a survey; scheduling an appointment.
 20. The method of claim18 wherein the further processing comprises gathering billingverification information.